Los Angeles Clippers vs. Houston Rockets Free Picks

Written by Andrew Scofield

Tuesday, 26 March 2013 08:19

People who want to become a bookie might think that other matchups this Saturday in the NBA offer the promise of a more certain win for prospective bettors. Indiana at Phoenix might be just such a case, and the same might hold true for the Lakers' visit to Sacramento or Memphis' trip to Minnesota. Orlando at Atlanta is probably the safest bet on the board. However, when immersed in the world of legal online sports betting, part of the thrill of the action is finding out how two closely-matched teams stack up against each other. The tough games are the interesting ones, and on Saturday, there's no better NBA clash than the one between the visiting Los Angeles Clippers and the homestanding Houston Rockets. This game looks and feels like a coin-flip, given the larger realities of the two sides.

First of all, any premier betting outlet would need to establish at the start that rest and travel will not be factors for either team... because both teams will be tired as they take the court in Texas. The Clippers will have spent Friday night (March 29) warring with the San Antonio Spurs in a big-league battle.

The Clippers might have to travel a relatively short distance for this game in Houston, but the Spurs will take a lot out of the Clips on an emotional level, meaning that Los Angeles will probably be flat for this one. Houston, however, will have flown home after playing at Memphis against the Grizzlies on Friday night. That's not a terrifically long commute, but Memphis - a powerful team playing really well at the moment - will exact a toll on the Rockets that is similar to what the Clippers will experience in San Antonio on Friday. These teams enter on relatively even footing, and that's part of what will make this game so fascinating to watch.

Ultimately, if one were to compare superstars on these teams, the Rockets probably have the slight edge, and not just because they're playing at home. Los Angeles' Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have been banged up for portions of this season, as was the case in 2012. Their bodies don't hold up as well under the long grind of an NBA campaign. On the other hand, Houston star James Harden looks fairly fresh. He is answering the call for the Rockets in crunch time and does not seem to be slowing down at all. Under the circumstances surrounding this game, Houston is more likely to respond with good energy and will probably display more stamina in the fourth quarter. The Rockets are currently 8-3 in the month of March, and they are playing a better brand of ball than the Clippers, who are merely 6-4 in their last 10 contests, all played within March. Houston is getting more out of its resources at the moment and will do so again on Saturday.